the baha'i are not permitted to practice their religion and culture. their marriages are not recognized. their dead cannot be buried, according to baha'i law, and their sem tears are desecrated -- cemeteries are desecrated. they are denied government jobs and business licenses. they are not permitted to enroll in universities and baha'i schoolchildren are frequently harassed by classmates, teachers and administrators. no one deserves the hand of this treatment at the hands of their government. the baha'i faith, such as the equality of men and women and responsibility to navigate the truth are impossible for the leaders of iran to comprehend. but these are universal values, human values and they must be protected. mr. speaker, the united states and the international community must not ignore the systematic and violent attacks against the iranian baha'i community and tehran must be held accountable. by passing this resolution we shine a light on the persecution of the baha'i and hopefully move us one step closer to the day that true freedom reaches iran.